Wildlife Management

Creating a property management plan is typically the first step toward successful wildlife management. Canvas Biologists create comprehensive wildlife management plans customized to the landowner’s goals and objectives based upon the existing property conditions. A wildlife management plan details recommended management practices, as well as information to guide implementation of these management practices. Canvas creates and implements wildlife management plans on a range of spatial scales, from small parcel non-game management, to large scale corporate hunting leases, to certified wildlife habitat council programs. 

When game species, such as white-tailed deer, are a primary focus, Canvas can assist landowners with harvest recommendations and record keeping. Harvesting the correct number of animals and the correct animals is crucial for landowners to achieve their management goals. Canvas Biologists assist landowners with management through manipulation of age classes, genetics, sex ratios, and population density. 

Supplemental feeding programs can be a rewarding component of a management plan when coupled with good habitat management. Cool season and warm season food plots can provide highly nutritious forage when other food sources may not be available. Fruit trees, protein feeders, corn feeders, and mineral blocks can also be effective in providing additional nutrition. 

Establishment and maintenance of pollinator habitat is quickly gaining in popularity due to increasing conservation concerns for bees, monarch butterflies, and other pollinators. Pollinator habitat can be created at many spatial scales depending on the property and other management objectives. Whether you need guidance on a pollinator garden as part of your land management plan, or want to implement a large-scale native prairie restoration, Canvas can help you. 

Feral hogs are a non-native, invasive species found in at least 35 states. Feral hogs can be detrimental to wildlife habitat and other land management practices. The damage they create costs landowners over a billion dollars annually. If you have a serious problem with feral hogs on your property, Canvas can provide trapping services.

Another potentially problematic species is the beaver. Beavers can damage timber stands by causing flooding and by chewing on trees. They can also clog drainage systems and damage dams through burrowing. Canvas can provide trapping and consultation to minimize negative impacts from beavers.

Are you an absentee landowner and don’t have time to check on your property or to implement management practices regularly? We’ve got you covered as well! Canvas offers a continuous wildlife management option for absentee landowners with property away from their primary residence. Canvas can provide regular property inspections and implement management actions on your behalf to ensure everything is top-notch when you visit your land. 

Airports and wildlife are a dangerous combination. Canvas can provide wildlife hazard management training, conduct wildlife hazard assessments, create wildlife hazard management plans, and assist in wildlife hazard control.